Whether you inherited a drawer filled with unique jewelry pieces from your grandmother or stumbled across a jewelry box at a garage sale, selling estate jewelry can be a fun and profitable endeavor. At the same time, it can also be a bit of heartbreaking experience. So, what is the best way to sell these pieces?
Get an appraisal.An expert will look at the condition of the jewelry, the setting material and the gemstones. The professional can give you an honest opinion about the value of the jewelry based on these properties as well as on the current demand for period pieces that would include your jewelry.
Time your sale.It can be disappointing to learn that a beloved heirloom, which has been in the family for generations, will not fetch a high price on the open market simply because Edwardian rings are currently flooding it. In this case, it may be more advantageous to hold on to your jewelry until there is less supply and more demand.
Visit local estate jewelry buyers. Shop the piece around and let the retailers make you an offer. Do not be afraid to drive to the next city for additional offers. There is a good chance that a local store will offer you a better deal simply because they hope to see you become a repeat customer there.
Choose to sell outright or consign. When you sell your estate jewelry outright, you may realize a smaller profit. If you choose to sell your jewelry on consignment, you may make a bit more money if an interested shopper sees your piece. If nobody is interested, you make no money.
Sell it for scrap.If there is simply no interest among estate buyers, talk to a jeweler about buying your estate jewelry for scrap. If the setting is gold or platinum, you may be able to get a bit of money for this material. Conversely, if the gem is beautiful but the setting is distracting, a jeweler may pay you for the gem and then reset it for sale.
Go online. When all else fails, it is time to look for a motivated niche customer. List the item on eBay or other online auction sites. Advertise the link to the sale. Someone else may be able to form a sentimental attachment to the piece and offer you the kind of money that you think it is worth. Since this auction places your estate jewelry before a worldwide audience, you have a good chance of finding someone who shares your affection for the piece.
If you are selling an extensive collection of estate jewelry, consider hiring a jewelry broker. This professional will shop the pieces around for you and use connections with buyers and retailers to help you sell the items. You pay a percentage of the sales price in commission.
Peter Suchy Jewelers is located in Stamford Connecticut on 1137 High Ridge Road and we are happy to offer estate jewelry appraisals and insurance appraisals to all of our customers. We invite you to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and if you have questions about estate jewelry, feel free to call us at 203-327-0024.
Be sure to check out our awesome deals in our eBay store!
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